India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train has successfully completed trials

The much-awaited Vande Bharat sleeper train is set to change the face of long-distance travel in India. Intended for high speed, comfort, and technological superiority, this train will be launched in the country in 2025. This luxurious overnight journey is so big that it will bring unprecedented comfort levels and attract tourists to railway services at top speeds.

Successful testing of Vande Bharat sleeper train

The 16-car Vande Bharat sleeper train recently completed the highly stringent trials conducted by the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) on January 15, 2025. In its trials, the train covered a distance of 540 km on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad section and thus proved its utility for long-distance travel.

Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, the train was completed on December 17, 2024 and was then taken to the Kota division for further short-distance trials. It ran for three consecutive days, covering a distance of 30 to 40 km per day. During these trials, the train achieved a speed of 180 km/h with a smooth and stable journey for passengers.

A Comfortable Overnight Travel Experience

Equipped with modern design elements and cutting-edge technology, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Train is designed to enhance the travel experience. The train features:

• Automatic doors
• Ultra-comfortable berths
• Onboard WiFi
• Aircraft-inspired interiors

Currently, 136 Vande Bharat trains operate across India, primarily on short- and medium-distance routes. The introduction of the sleeper variant will take this experience to the next level, offering a quieter, smoother, and more luxurious journey for overnight travelers.

Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Rollout and Expansion Plans

Indian Railways has scheduled the production of nine more Vande Bharat sleeper train sets between April and December 2025. These trains will be manufactured after successful testing and will be more efficient, faster and convenient for passengers. To support this development, Indian Railways has ordered propulsion electrics for 50 rakes of 24-car Vande Bharat sleeper train sets to two major Indian manufacturers. The first consignment is expected to be ready within two years.

Future full-scale production of 24-car Vande Bharat sleeper trains is scheduled to begin from 2026-27, and will increase India’s self-reliance in railway technology.

Three Classes of Travel

The Vande Bharat Sleeper Train will feature three classes to accommodate different passenger preferences:

• AC 1st Class
• AC 2-Tier
• AC 3-Tier

With a total capacity of 1,128 passengers, the train will offer spacious, well-cushioned berths for maximum comfort.

Safety is paramount

The Vande Bharat Sleeper train puts safety above all else. The advanced safety features incorporated in the train include:

• Crash buffers that will absorb any impact caused by a crash
• Deformation tubes to help absorb shocks
• Fire barrier walls to ensure enhanced safety
• Automatic doors for easy entry and exit
• Final safety analysis and commercial launch

The Research Design and Standards Organisation will carry out a final safety analysis before the train is launched. Also, the Commissioner of Railway Safety will check the performance of the train at its top speed to ensure that it is completely safe and efficient.

Once the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is approved, it will become operational to provide world-class and high-speed overnight travel. This is one of the important steps in the journey of modernization of India’s railway network as well as passenger experience on long-distance routes.